Batchworth Boat Rally

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Batchworth Boat Rally

We are a non profit organisation that was set up in 2024 when the Rickmansworth Canal Festival was suddenly cancelled.

It had incorporated a boat rally of nearly 100 canal boats We aim to continue with the new BBR 3rd Weekend in May with up to 100 Boats.

19/05/2026

Some wonderful photos of the Rally from Photography by Kev Maslin. What a great weekend - thank you to those who joined us.

17/05/2026

The boats are in position ready for the lock jam. The Rymatones will be closing the rally from 5pm. Thanks to everyone who came out and joined us for the canal festivities.

17/05/2026

Mr Belldini has started his first show in the garden next to the batchworth lock canal centre. Along with face painting. Pop on down with the kiddos!

Next shows are at 2pm and 3pm

16/05/2026

⚓ Wow, what a fantastic start to the rally today! ✨

A massive thank you to everyone who joined us on the towpath today the atmosphere has been incredible! But the weekend is far from over. We’re doing it all again tomorrow, Sunday 17th May, with some very special highlights you won't want to miss.

Here is what’s happening on Sunday:

10:00 – 10:30 | Sunday Worship: Start your morning with a peaceful moment at Batchworth Lock for our traditional canal-side service. 🙏

10:00 | Floating Market Opens: Our traders are back and ready for a busy Sunday of shopping on the water! 🛍️

11:30 | Phoenix Morris: Get ready for sticks, bells, and high energy as Phoenix Morris kicks off the day's entertainment! 🔔

12:00 | The Boat Parade: The big one! Grab a front-row spot on the towpath at midday to see the stunning procession of boats in all their glory. ⚓

13:00, 14:00, & 15:00 | Mr Belldini: Catch one of three magic sets at intervals throughout the afternoon. 🪄

12:00 – 16:00 | Narrowboat Albert: More fascinating canal-side talks throughout the day.

14:00 – 16:00 | Boat Handling Display: Watch the pros show off their narrowboat maneuvering skills.

17:00 – 18:00 | Lock Jam with The Rymatones: We’re closing out the Lock entertainment with an absolute bang. Don't miss the finale! 🎸

12:00 – 22:30 | Baldrick’s Towpath Tipple: Open all day for those final rally refreshments by the water and entertainment from the Busk Stop open mic. 🍻

Whether you're coming back for more or joining us for the first time this weekend, we can't wait to see you. Let’s make Sunday just as memorable as today!

📍 Where: Batchworth, Rickmansworth
💰 Entry: FREE
🔗 More Info: batchworthboatrally.org/whats-happening-at-the-rally/

16/05/2026

We’ve got lots of fantastic traders with us at the floating market this weekend. From food, drinks and face painting to vintage, collectibles, art and hand made items.

Why not pop down and see our fantastic traders, both sides of Frogmoor bridge.

Open daily from 10am.

We’ve got
Baldrick's Towpath Tipple
Wobbly Softserve
Nbwakamatandoto and The Waka Butty
My Floating Holiday
Over The Yarnarm - The Gonk Boat
Emma Bradley Art
Siri’s Barge B***y
Face painting.

15/05/2026

📅 TOMORROW: The Batchworth Boat Rally officially kicks off! 🚤✨
The wait is almost over! We are back on the towpath tomorrow, Saturday 16th May, for a full day of canal-side fun. Whether you're here for the historic boats, the music, or just a pint by the water, there is something for everyone.

Here’s your Saturday schedule:

10:00 | Floating Market Opens: Start your day browsing our incredible floating traders! 🛍️ Expect everything from vinyl records and arts & crafts to delicious food and local charities.

12:00 | Entertainment & Talks Begin: The atmosphere turns up at Batchworth Lock with live music starting at midday. You can also catch fascinating talks from Narrowboat Albert (12:00–16:30)

12:00 – 23:00 | Baldrick’s Towpath Tipple: Our favorite towpath bar is open all day and late into the evening. Grab a pint and soak up the vibes and enjoy some entertainment until 17:00 with open mic at the Busk stop (fancy putting your name down get in touch with Baldrick's Towpath Tipple.

14:00 – 16:00 | Boat Handling Display: Head down to the water to see some impressive narrowboat skills in action.

It’s going to be a brilliant day on the Grand Union Canal. Come down, support our local traders, and enjoy the best of Batchworth!

📍 Where: Batchworth, Rickmansworth
💰 Entry: FREE
🔗 Full Details: https://batchworthboatrally.org/whats-happening-at-the-rally/

See you on the towpath! 👋⚓

14/05/2026

You haven’t truly experienced the rally until you’ve seen the Lock Jam! This is one of our favorite traditions, and it’s a sight that you don't often see.

Watch in awe as the working boats gather and "jam up" below Batchworth Lock, creating a spectacular wall-to-wall display of heritage and horsepower. It’s the ultimate narrowboat squeeze!

Bringing the noise for this incredible spectacle are The Rymatones!

When: Sunday, 17th May

Time: 17:00 – 18:00

Where: Below Batchworth Lock

It’s the perfect, high-energy way to close out the 2026 rally. Grab a spot on the towpath or the bridge and get your cameras ready this is the one everyone talks about! 📸🎺

For more information about the Rally and what's happening over the weekend visit our website:
https://batchworthboatrally.org/whats-happening-at-the-rally/

14/05/2026

Shop, Sip & Support Local at our Floating Market! 🛶🛍️

The Batchworth Boat Rally 2026 Floating Market is the heart of the event. Open from 10:00 daily, the towpath will be packed with unique traders and wonderful charities.

Whether you’re looking for a handcrafted gift, a cold pint, or to learn about our canal heritage, there’s something for everyone:

🍹 Food & Drink

Baldrick’s Towpath Tipple: Our licensed floating bar! Perfect for a canal-side cocktail or craft beer.
Saturday: 12:00 – 23:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 22:30

🎤 Plus, enjoy brilliant live entertainment from the Busk Stop open mic!

Wobbly: Your stop for soft-serve ice cream, bacon butties, and homemade cakes.

🎨 Unique Gifts & Art

Emma Bradley Art: Beautiful watercolour paintings and prints inspired by life on the water.

Over The Yarnarm: Known as the "Gonk Boat"! Home to charming crochet characters and yarn supplies.

Wakamata Ndoto: Canal art, macramé, and eco-friendly Miniml refills (remember your empty bottles!).

Siri's Barge B***y - Vintage & collectibles. From furniture to fun home accessories.

My Floating Holiday - The Colleen Bawn: Chat to the team about booking your own pet-friendly narrowboat holiday!

💙 Meet Our Charities
We are proud to host several organisations dedicated to our waterways:

Waterways Experiences: See Sheldrake 2 and learn about their accessible canal trips.

Herts Boat Rescue: Meet the volunteers keeping our local waters safe.

Friends of Raymond: Discover the history of Raymond, the last wooden narrowboat built in the UK.

The Narrowboat Trust: See the historic Nuneaton and Brighton in their full working trim.

Inland Waterways Association: Find out how they campaign to protect our canals nationwide.

More information about the rally can be found on our website:
https://batchworthboatrally.org/whats-happening-at-the-rally/

📍 Where: Along the towpath at Batchworth
💰 Entry: FREE
🚗 Parking: FREE in the Aquadrome car park

Support our independent traders and amazing volunteers while enjoying a brilliant day out! 🦆

13/05/2026

We are bringing the canal to life with an incredible weekend of live entertainment at the Batchworth Boat Rally 2026! From acoustic sets to DJs and Morris dancing, we have something for every musical taste.

⚓ Batchworth Lock

Saturday (12:00 – 17:00):
DJ Spenny Spen | Callum | The Late Arrivals

Sunday (12:00 – 18:00):
Warp, Weft, Weaver | DJ Spenny Spen | Green Man Band | Lemon Tuesday | Batchworth Bouys | Lock Jam with The Rymatones
(Plus fantastic entertainment from Phoenix Morris!)

🎤 The Busk Stop Open Mic - 12:00 - 17:00

Hosted by Baldrick's Towpath Tipple. Fancy taking to the stage? Get in touch with them today if you’d like to put your name down to perform!

For more information about what's going on check out our website
https://batchworthboatrally.org/batchworth-lock-program/

📍 Where: Batchworth, Rickmansworth
💰 Entry: FREE
🚗 Parking: FREE in the Aquadrome car park.

Grab a drink, find a spot by the water, and enjoy the best local talent. See you there! 🍻🚤

12/05/2026

Step Back in Time with Historic Narrowboat 'Albert'

We are incredibly excited to welcome the historic narrowboat Albert to the Batchworth Boat Rally 2026!

Built in 1926 by W.H. Walker & Brothers, Albert was originally an Ovaltine boat, part of the famous fleet that served the factory right here in the area. You might even recognise her from the BBC documentary, "The Importance of Being Albert."

Over the weekend, join us for a series of fascinating talks on Albert. Plus, the Ovaltine Museum will be joining us with original artefacts to explore!

🎤 Saturday Talks:

The Importance of Being Albert: 12:00, 14:00 & 16:00

The Ovaltine Years: 13:00 & 15:00

🎤 Sunday Talks:

The Importance of Being Albert: 12:00 & 14:30

The Ovaltine Years: 13:30 & 15:30

Come and discover the heritage of our local waterways and see this stunning piece of history up close.

📍 Where: Batchworth Lock
💰 Entry & Talks: FREE
🚗 Parking: FREE in the Aquadrome car park.

Don't forget to visit the Floating Market and enjoy the live music while you're here! 🎶☀️
For more information of what's going on over the weekend check out our website https://batchworthboatrally.org/whats-happening-at-the-rally/

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Batchworth
Rickmansworth

Website

http://batchworthboatrally.org/

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